Method and apparatus for communications

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to operate the STB coupled to an interactive television network as an audio visual answering machine using a digital video recorder forming a part of the STB, use at least one camera coupled to the STB to capture video, use at least one microphone coupled to the STB to capture audio, present video from at least a calling party on a television set coupled to the STB, and present audio from at least the calling party on speakers coupled to the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication techniques andmore specifically to a method and apparatus for communications.

BACKGROUND

A digital videophone answering device (DVAD) utilizes the functionalityof a device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital videorecorder (DVR) operating in a unidirectional TV broadcast system. TheDVAD is operatively connected to or integral with an STB equipped withDVR functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein

FIG. 6 depicts another communication system illustrative of theembodiments herein; and

FIG. 7 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication system of FIG. 1 or 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method in aSet-Top-Box (STB) comprising engaging in multimedia conferencing usingVoice-over-IP (VoIP) and video over an interactive television (iTV)network and instructing a digital video recording (DVR) device to serveas a multimedia mailbox or answering machine for playing a multimediagreeting message from the STB and for recording multimedia calls made tothe STB through the iTV network.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method in amedia processor for engaging a multimedia conference using VoIP and iTVservices of an iTV network, wherein the media processor has a DVRcoupled to at least one camera and a microphone.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium operating in a media processor havingcomputer instructions to detect a multimedia conference call using VoIPand iTV services, record the multimedia conference call, and activate amessage waiting indicator on the media processor when a message isrecorded.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail an STBhaving a controller to operate the STB coupled to an iTV network as anaudio visual answering machine using a DVR operably coupled to the STB,use at least one camera coupled to the STB to capture video, use atleast one microphone coupled to the STB to capture audio, present videofrom at least a calling party on a television set coupled to the STB,and present audio from at least the calling party on speakers coupled tothe STB.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 202 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 202 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 202 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal202 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 300.Communication 300 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrativeembodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. The communicationdevice 300 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 302(herein transceiver 302), a user interface (UI) 304, a power supply 314,a location receiver 316, and a controller 306 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 302 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Digital EnhancedCordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication technologies asthey arise. The transceiver 302 can also be adapted to supportcircuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 308 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device300. The keypad 308 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 300 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 308 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 304 can further include adisplay 310 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 300. Inan embodiment where the display 310 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 308 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 304 can also include an audio system 312 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 312 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 304 can further include an image sensor 313 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 314 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 300 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 316 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device300 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 300 can use the transceiver 302 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 306 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 300 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 300 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100 of FIG. 1 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative method 400 that operates in portions ofthe communication system of FIG. 1. Method 400 can begin with step 402in which multimedia conferencing uses Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and videoover an iTV network. The method at 404 can use a set-top-box (STB) suchas an enhanced STB having a digital video recording (DVR) device thereinto serve as a multimedia mailbox or answering machine for playing amultimedia greeting message from the STB and for recording multimediacalls made to the STB through the iTV network. Once a message is left onthe STB via the iTV network, a message waiting indicator on the STB canbe activated at 406. Also, the STB can include a ringer that servers toprovide an alert at 408 of an incoming call and multimedia conferencingis initiated between two iTV network users with similar audio and videoconfigurations.

The method 400 at 410 can enable a called party and a calling party tosee and hear each other using microphones and cameras coupled torespective STBs belonging to the called party and the calling party.Video can be captured at 412 using a camera coupled to the STB. Videoand audio from a calling party using the DVR device can be recorded at414. The method at 416 can concurrently record a calling party and acalled party while in conference using the DVR device. The method canalso present video and audio respectively using a display or televisionset coupled to the STB and speakers coupled to the STB at 418.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, the iTV services canoperate in one of an Internet Protocol TV system, a cable TV system, anda satellite TV system.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate with each othervia a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include a videodisplay unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system500 may include an input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 516, a signal generationdevice 518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 520.

The disk drive unit 516 may include a machine-readable medium 522 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 524)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 524may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 504, the static memory 506, and/or within the processor 502during execution thereof by the computer system 500. The main memory 504and the processor 502 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 524, or that which receives and executes instructions 524from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 526 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 526 using the instructions 524. Theinstructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a network526 via the network interface device 520.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, similarly configured systems 602 and 650 for both acalling party (Users 1) and a called party (Users 2) respectively areillustrated in a iTV or IPTV communication system 600. The systems 602and 650 can each have respective enhanced STBs 605 and 655 each havingrespective DVRs and camera heads 606, microphones 608, and messagewaiting indicator (MWI) 610. Each STB can also include an optionaltelephone jack 612 where an optional telephone or cordless phone basestation 614 or 652 can be coupled to the jack 612. The systems alsoinclude respective displays or television sets 604 and 654 coupled tothe respect STBs 605 and 655. The two systems 602 and 650 can be coupledto each other over a network 620 such as an iTV, IPTV or other network.

Operationally, VoIP and video calls are conducted directly on the system600 using IPTV with the DVRs serving as respective mailboxes. As notedabove, an enhance or modified set top box can include a camera head (ifbuilt-in) or an receptacle for a camera if a camera is to be externallyconnected, a microphone (if built-in) or a receptacle if microphone isto be externally connected, a ringer, a message waiting indicator (MWI)and an optional RJ11 jack for connecting a regular phone (or an embeddedcordless base station if a cordless phone if preferred). In analternative embodiment, a cordless base station can be embedded into theSTB. An audio/video call can be initiated between two similarlyconfigured systems having similar audio and video capabilities. Whensuch a call is initiated, a ringer on the receiving end STB can alert ofan incoming call. When connected, the users or customers can see eachother on the respective IPTV television sets 604 and 654, and hear eachother via the speakers on or attached to the TV or otherwise coupled tothe STBs. The call can also be picked up using the optionally attachedphone 614 or 652 (or respective cordless phone base and cordless phone(not shown)) so as to keep the conversation more private. The video iscaptured by the camera head built-in or connected to the set top box.The audio is captured by the microphone built-in or connected to the settop box. It is also possible to record both audio and video of anaudio/video call in real time onto the DVR (digital video recorder) forlater re-play.

Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 illustrates another method inaccordance with the embodiments. The method can begin at 702 with anincoming Audio/Video call where the STB ringer at the called party ringsat 704. At decision block 706, if the call is answered, the call at 708proceeds and the video is coupled to the IPTV television set and theaudio is coupled to the speakers. If an incoming audio/video call is notanswered at 706, the STB's mailbox capability at the receiving end canbe activated. The STB will play an announcement at 710 to the callingparty, which can either be an audio-only message similar to what isplayed by an answering machine today, or an audio/video message which isplayed out on the calling party's TV/speaker system. At this point, thecalling party is invited to leave a message at 712. If no message isleft, then the call ends at 716. Alternatively, at 714, the callingparty can then proceed with leaving an audio/video (or audio only)message on the called party's DVR. A flashing MWI (message waitingindication) LED on the STB can be one way to alert the customer at 718that there is a new audio/video message in the mailbox on the DVR. Therecorded audio/video message stored on the DVR can then be played out onthe TV.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a set-top boxcomprising a processor, an incoming multimedia call comprising audio,according to a voice over internet protocol, and video, according to aninteractive television network protocol; invoking a ringer on theset-top box as an alert of an incoming call; in response to the incomingcall being answered by way of the set-top box: engaging in multimediaconferencing, by the set-top box, using voice-over-internet protocol andvideo over an interactive television network, wherein the multimediaconferencing is initiated between equipment of two interactivetelevision network users with similar audio and video configurations;presenting, by the set-top box, a video portion of the multimediaconferencing to a display coupled to the set-top box, while alsopresenting an audio portion of the multimedia conferencing to speakerscoupled to the set-top; recording, selectively, by the set-top box, dataassociated with a calling party and a called party concurrently while inconference using a digital video recording device; in response to theincoming call being answered by way of a cordless handsetcommunicatively coupled to a cordless base station integrated within theset-top box, engaging in a private conversation using thevoice-over-internet protocol by way of the cordless handset; in responseto the incoming call being unanswered: instructing, by the set-top box,the digital video recording device to serve as an answering machine forplaying a multimedia greeting message from the set-top box and forrecording multimedia calls made to the set-top box through theinteractive television network; and activating, by the set-top box, amessage waiting indicator located on a front panel the set-top box inresponse to recording multimedia calls made to the set-top box throughthe interactive television network.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe message waiting indicator comprises a light emitting device.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising enabling, by the set-top box, acalled party and a calling party to see and hear each other usingmicrophones and cameras coupled to respective set-top boxes belonging tothe called party and the calling party.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising capturing video using a camera coupled to the set-topbox.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein recording the data comprisesrecording video and audio associated with the calling party using thedigital video recording device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thedigital video recording device belongs to a party selected from a groupconsisting of the calling party, a called party and both the callingparty and the called party.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thedisplay is a television set coupled to the set-top box.
 8. A method,comprising: receiving, by a media device comprising a processor, anincoming multimedia call comprising audio, according to a voice overinternet protocol, and video, according to an interactive televisionnetwork protocol; invoking a ringer on the media device as an alert ofan incoming call; in response to the incoming call being answered by wayof the media device: engaging, by the media device, in a multimediaconference using voice over internet protocol and interactive televisionservices of an interactive television network, wherein the multimediaconferencing is initiated between equipment of two interactivetelevision network users with similar audio and video configurations;during the multimedia conference, presenting, by the media device, at adisplay a video of a calling party engaged in the multimedia conference;presenting, by the media device for an answered call, an audio portionof the multimedia conference to speakers coupled to the media device; inresponse to the incoming call being answered by way of a cordlesshandset communicatively coupled to a cordless base station integratedwithin the media device, engaging in a private conversation using thevoice over internet protocol by way of the cordless handset; andrecording, by the media device for an unanswered call, a voice message,wherein the media device has a digital video recorder to record thevoice message and a message waiting indicator that is activated inresponse to the recording of the voice message.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the message waiting indicator comprises a light emittingdevice.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital video recorder iscoupled to a camera and a microphone, and wherein the methodconcurrently records audio of the calling party and a called party whilein conference using the digital video recorder.
 11. The method of claim8, wherein the digital video recorder serves as an answering machine forplaying a multimedia greeting message from the media device and forrecording multimedia calls made to the media device through theinteractive television network.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein themedia device corresponds to a set-top box, wherein the multimediaconference corresponds to a video conference, and wherein theinteractive television services operates in a system selected from agroup consisting of an internet protocol television system, a cabletelevision system, a satellite television system and combinationsthereof.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the set-top box selectivelyplays back a multimedia message once recorded on the digital videorecorder.
 14. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions, which when executed by a mediaprocessor cause the media processor to perform operations, comprising:receiving an incoming multimedia call comprising audio, according to avoice over internet protocol, and video, according to an interactivetelevision network protocol; invoking a ringer on a media processor asan alert of an incoming call; in response to the incoming call beinganswered by way of the media processor: detecting a calling party and acalled party while in a multimedia conference call using the voice overinternet protocol and interactive television services; presenting avideo portion of the multimedia conferencing to a display; presenting anaudio portion of the multimedia conferencing to a cordless handset incommunication with the media processor; concurrently recording dataassociated with the calling party and the called party while inconference using a digital video recorder operably coupled to the mediaprocessor; in response to the incoming call being answered by way of acordless handset communicatively coupled to a cordless base stationintegrated within the media processor, engaging in a privateconversation using the voice over internet protocol by way of thecordless handset, wherein the private conversation is initiated betweenequipment of two interactive television network users with similar audioand video configurations; and activating a message waiting indicatorlocated on the media processor in response to a recording of a messageof an unanswered call by the media processor.
 15. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise serving as a multimedia answering machine to play amultimedia greeting message from the media processor and to recordmultimedia calls made to the media processor by way of the interactivetelevision services.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 14, wherein the digital video recorder belongs to aparty selected from a group consisting of the calling party, a calledparty and the calling party and the called party.
 17. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise presenting audio associated with the conferencerespectively using an audio system coupled to the media processor.
 18. Aset-top-box, comprising: a memory to store executable instructions; anda controller coupled with the memory, wherein executing the instructionscauses the controller to perform operations comprising: receiving anincoming multimedia call comprising audio, according to a voice overinternet protocol, and video, according to an interactive televisionnetwork protocol; invoking a ringer on a set-top box as an alert of anincoming call; in response to the incoming call being answered by way ofthe set-top box: using a camera coupled to the set-top box to capturevideo; using a microphone coupled to the set-top box to capture audio;presenting video associated with a calling party on a television setcoupled to the set-top box; presenting audio associated with the callingparty on a cordless handset in communication by way of a cordless basestation; concurrently recording data associated with the calling partyand the called party while in conference in real time using a digitalvideo recorder; in response to the incoming call being answered by wayof a cordless handset communicatively coupled to a cordless base stationintegrated within the set-top box, engaging in a private conversationusing the voice over internet protocol by way of the cordless handset,wherein the private conversation is initiated between equipment of twointeractive television network users with similar audio and videoconfigurations; and activating a message waiting indicator located onthe set-top box in response to recording multimedia calls made to theset-top box through an interactive television network.
 19. The set-topbox of claim 18, wherein the message waiting indicator comprises aflashing light.
 20. The set-top box of claim 18, wherein the digitalvideo recorder is of a party selected from a group consisting of thecalling party, a called party and the calling party and the calledparty.
 21. The set-top box of claim 18, wherein the digital videorecorder serves as an answering machine to play a multimedia greetingmessage from the set-top box and to record multimedia calls made to theset-top box through the interactive television network.
 22. The set-topbox of claim 18, wherein the interactive television network comprises asystem selected from a group consisting of, an internet protocoltelevision system, a cable television system, a satellite televisionsystem and combinations thereof.
 23. The set-top box of claim 18,wherein the set-top box comprises a jack to couple to the set-top box adevice selected from a group consisting of a phone, a cordless phonebase station and combinations thereof.
 24. The set-top box of claim 18,wherein the set-top box operates as an answering machine by awaiting fora call at the set-top box, connecting video to an internet protocoltelevision set and audio to speakers if the call is answered andotherwise playing a multimedia greeting message.